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Inventory of natural heritage of Stokes County, North Carolina

Inventory of natural heritage of Stokes County, North Carolina - Page 43

Regarding North Carolina state law:
1. North Carolina endangered species laws apply to set of species listed by the state as
endangered or threatened. This list of species includes Federally listed species as well as species
considered Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in this state.
2. The plant and animal endangered species laws are modeled after the ESA, in that illegal
trafficking or poaching of listed species is illegal.
3. The state endangered animal species law states that " no rule may be adopted that restricts use
or development ofprivate property".
4. The state endangered plant species law specifically states that " the incidental disturbance of
protected plants during agricultural, forestry or development operations is not illegal so long as
the plants are not collectedfor sale or commercial use".
For more details and updated regulations relating to the rare species in North Carolina
contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission or North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Evaluation of Site Biological Significance
Determination of site biological significance draws on the raw data collected from field
surveys and the experience of professional biologists. Site significance is primarily influenced
by the quality, condition, and rarity of natural community types and rare species present, the size
of the site, and the ecological integrity or long- term viability of the site. Other considerations
may include overall floristic and animal diversity, presence of species that are uncommon or that
are ecological indicators of special habitats, potential animal habitat, and degree of connectivity
with other natural areas. The biological significance rating is meant to be as objective as
possible. It is not influenced by ownership or prospects for conservation of a site.
Site biological significance is assigned at four levels: County, Regional, State, and
National. Significance at county, state, and national levels is probably fairly obvious. Less
obvious is regional significance, which usually indicates that a site is one which is biologieally
significant in an area including the county of occurrence as well the counties contiguous with it,
which share similar biogeographic features.
The process by which site biological significance is designated for a site begins with the
significance assigned by the field surveyor, but also involves consultation with biologists at the
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program ( NC NHP). Site Survey Forms prepared by the
surveying biologist are evaluated by biologists at NC NHP and compared with statewide
information on similar sites ( i. e., those with the same natural community types, rare species, and
other attributes). If, in comparison with similar sites, a site does not appear to merit the assigned
43

Regarding North Carolina state law:
1. North Carolina endangered species laws apply to set of species listed by the state as
endangered or threatened. This list of species includes Federally listed species as well as species
considered Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in this state.
2. The plant and animal endangered species laws are modeled after the ESA, in that illegal
trafficking or poaching of listed species is illegal.
3. The state endangered animal species law states that " no rule may be adopted that restricts use
or development ofprivate property".
4. The state endangered plant species law specifically states that " the incidental disturbance of
protected plants during agricultural, forestry or development operations is not illegal so long as
the plants are not collectedfor sale or commercial use".
For more details and updated regulations relating to the rare species in North Carolina
contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission or North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Evaluation of Site Biological Significance
Determination of site biological significance draws on the raw data collected from field
surveys and the experience of professional biologists. Site significance is primarily influenced
by the quality, condition, and rarity of natural community types and rare species present, the size
of the site, and the ecological integrity or long- term viability of the site. Other considerations
may include overall floristic and animal diversity, presence of species that are uncommon or that
are ecological indicators of special habitats, potential animal habitat, and degree of connectivity
with other natural areas. The biological significance rating is meant to be as objective as
possible. It is not influenced by ownership or prospects for conservation of a site.
Site biological significance is assigned at four levels: County, Regional, State, and
National. Significance at county, state, and national levels is probably fairly obvious. Less
obvious is regional significance, which usually indicates that a site is one which is biologieally
significant in an area including the county of occurrence as well the counties contiguous with it,
which share similar biogeographic features.
The process by which site biological significance is designated for a site begins with the
significance assigned by the field surveyor, but also involves consultation with biologists at the
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program ( NC NHP). Site Survey Forms prepared by the
surveying biologist are evaluated by biologists at NC NHP and compared with statewide
information on similar sites ( i. e., those with the same natural community types, rare species, and
other attributes). If, in comparison with similar sites, a site does not appear to merit the assigned
43